Search

In this study, it is shown how the photoluminescence, scintillation, and optical thermometric properties are managed via the introduction of Gd3+ ions into Pr3+:Lu2Zr2O7. Raman spectra validate that partial replacement of Lu3+ with Gd3+ can promote the phase transition of Lu2Zr2O7 host from the defective fluorite structure to the ordered pyrochlore one. Upon 289 nm excitation, all the samples emit the 483 (3P0 → 3H4), 581 (1D2 → 3H4), 611 (3P0 → 3H6), 636 (3P0 → 3F2), and 714 nm (3P0 → 3F4) emissions from Pr3+ ions, which are enhanced with the addition of Gd3+ ions due to the modification of crystal structure. Dissimilarly, the X‐ray excited luminescence spectra consist of a strong emission located at 314 nm from Gd3+ ions (6P7/2 → 8S7/2), together with the typical emissions from Pr3+ ions, which exhibit different dependences on the Gd3+ concentration. When the luminescence intensity ratio between the 3P0 → 3H6 (611 nm) and 1D2 → 3H4 (581 nm) transitions is selected for temperature sensing, Pr3+:(Lu0.75Gd0.25)2Zr2O7 shows the optimal relative sensing sensitivity of 0.78% K−1 at 303 K, which is higher than that of the Gd3+‐free sample. Therefore, the developed Pr3+:(Lu, Gd)2Zr2O7 phosphors have the applicative potential for optical thermometry, X‐ray detection, and photodynamic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YAP/TAZ transcriptional co‐activators play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis. In the Hippo pathway, diverse signals activate the MST‐LATS kinase cascade that leads to YAP/TAZ phosphorylation, and subsequent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation by SCFβ‐TrCP. When the MST‐LATS kinase cascade is inactive, unphosphorylated or dephosphorylated YAP/TAZ translocate into the nucleus to mediate TEAD‐dependent gene transcription. Hippo signaling‐independent YAP/TAZ activation in human malignancies has also been observed, yet the mechanism remains largely elusive. Here, we report that the ubiquitin E3 ligase HERC3 can promote YAP/TAZ activation independently of its enzymatic activity. HERC3 directly binds to β‐TrCP, blocks its interaction with YAP/TAZ, and thus prevents YAP/TAZ ubiquitination and degradation. Expression levels of HERC3 correlate with YAP/TAZ protein levels and expression of YAP/TAZ target genes in breast tumor cells and tissues. Accordingly, knockdown of HERC3 expression ameliorates tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells. Our results establish HERC3 as a critical regulator of the YAP/TAZ stability and a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer. Synopsis: The activity of the Hippo pathway transcriptional co‐activators YAP/TAZ is regulated by several ubiquitin E3 ligases, including the SCFβ‐TrCP complex. This study identifies a non‐enzymatic role of the E3 ligase HERC3 in regulation of YAP/TAZ stability in breast cancer. HERC3 can promote YAP/TAZ activation independently of its catalytic activity.HERC3 directly binds to the β‐TrCP substrate recognition subunit to block its recruitment to YAP/TAZ, thus preventing YAP/TAZ ubiquitination and degradation.HERC3 promotes breast tumorigenesis in a YAP/TAZ‐dependent manner.HERC3 expression level correlates with that of YAP/TAZ and their target genes in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has explored the effects of different gases on the foam‐coarsening behavior and drainage process of APG, and combined with molecular simulation to analyze the molecular behavior and interaction between molecules of APG in different gas phases. The influence mechanism of different gases on APG was analyzed by radial distribution function (RDF), mean square displacement (MSD), interaction energy (IFE) and other results. The results show that due to the interaction between gas, water and APG, the hydrophilicity and molecular behavior of APG are affected, resulting in differences in coarsening behavior and drainage process of foam. CO2 has a significant impact on the stability of APG foam. When N2 is used as the foaming gas, APG foam has the most stable foam performance. This work provides relevant information about the factors affecting the foam stability and contributes to a better understanding of the foam stability mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous thermocells that are eco‐friendly and capable of converting low‐grade heat into electricity continuously are promising candidates to power flexible and wearable devices in various application scenarios. However, challenges remain in their limited working temperatures, mechanical fragility, and poor thermoelectric performance, mainly due to the reduced entropy of both polymer chains and thermogalvanic ions at low temperatures. In this work, the challenges are addressed by introducing a synergistic chaotropic effect to destruct strong hydrogen bonds, increase polymers' entropic elasticity, and enlarge the entropy difference of thermogalvanic ions. An organohydrogel thermocell is designed with a chaotropic comonomer and a chaotropic cosolvent. The maximum normalized power density of the thermocell achieves 0.1 mW m−2 K−2, which is in the same order of magnitude as the highest record in current quasi‐solid thermocells. Even at −30 °C, the thermocell maintains the elongation at a break of more than 100% and a relatively high power density of 0.012 mW m−2 K−2. Furthermore, the thermocell shows the potential to light up a light‐emitting diode and stably works when compressed, bent, and stretched in a wide temperature range. This work provides insights on developing reliable power sources to drive flexible electronics continually in extremely cold environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present a wideband circularly polarised antenna array consisting of a 10‐element ellipse dipole antenna and a feed network. A metal pillar is vertically loaded at the end of each ellipse dipole arm to extend the current path, thereby reducing the lateral dimension of the antenna element. For uniform coverage over the Earth's surface, antenna with an isoflux pattern is required due to its uniform power density over a wide coverage area. To obtain wideband and isoflux characteristics, the amplitude and phase distributions along the network are optimised by applying the hybrid of the genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimisation. Particularly, the feed network with broadband phase shifting performance is designed to attain a broad bandwidth requirement. The proposed antenna can achieve excellent impedance matching and axial ratio characteristics from 1.1 to 1.6 GHz. In addition, the isoflux radiation pattern is obtained with the beamwidth of ±21° where the gain is higher than 0 dBi in the elevation plane (xoz‐Plane). The realised gain is better than 10.2 dBi and the side lobes are below −14.2dB across the operating frequency. Finally, the antenna array is manufactured and measured, and good agreement is achieved between the simulation and measurement results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gravity–capillary evaporation phase change in microgrooves inside a heat pipe is experimentally investigated by a visualization system. The evaporation regime, startup temperature response, and evaporation thermal resistance for gravity–capillary evaporation are evaluated and compared with those for capillary evaporation. The results identify oscillatory motion of vapor–liquid interface for gravity–capillary evaporation in rectangular microgrooves arising from the competition between gravity, the capillary force, and the shear force. In addition, the presence of gravity introduces the transition from fin–film evaporation regime to corner–film evaporation regime in rectangular microgrooves, and hence results in an overshoot startup and temperature oscillation during the process of gravity–capillary evaporation. Interestingly, the corner–film evaporation improves the evaporation phase change performance in the microgrooves. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 1119–1125, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aneurysms of the aortic sinus are well‐known clinical entities that can bulge into adjacent heart chambers or vessels. They usually reside in the right ventricle and very rarely bulge into the left ventricle causing mitral valve deformation. A 47‐year‐old man was admitted for shortness of breath and chest pain after exertion. He was diagnosed with a noncoronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm bulging into the mitral valve's anterior leaflet. The aortic valve and mitral valve annulus were severely damaged and irreparable. A Bentall procedure and mechanical mitral valve replacement were performed. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged 11 days later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]